February 10, 2011

Live blog of tonight's FOX-32 Chicago mayor's race forum

Posted by Tribune staff at 7:47 p.m.; will continuously update from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.

A Chicago mayoral forum is airing on FOX-32 from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Here's the live stream link: click here.

The six Chicago mayoral candidates are taking part in a forum broadcast live tonight with jobs, education and public safety the announced topics.

On the stage at Kennedy-King College on the South Side are former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago Board of Education president Gery Chico, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, City Clerk Miguel del Valle and community activists Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins and William "Dock" Walls.

First question, jump ball: have any of you ever been unemployed?

No one wanted to jump on that grenade, but del Valle said he lacked steady employment for a short period after college. And then he talked about the need to come up with partnerships to train people for jobs.

Next up, TV reporter Mike Flannery is asking Braun how she'd create jobs. She talked about her struggling organic food company, then said the city should cut the red tape on licensing. The city should also ask banks to invest in local businesses. And the city should invest its dollars in funds that will reinvest in Chicago companies that create jobs.

Radio host Cliff Kelley wants to know how Emanuel will ensure more minority-owned firms get city business. Emanuel said he wants procurement reform. Centalize and standardize purchasing so that minority businesses can more easily get business.

Walls gets one in his wheelhouse: how to bring nanotechnology to Chicago. It's a point he's stressed while campaigning.

TV reporter Flannery asks long-winded question to Chico, asking what his deputy mayor for business development would do. Would it be another layer of bureaucracy getting in the way? Chico points out he's a member of the Urban League board (debate sponsor). He tried to answer question, but Flannery interupts. Chico said bureaucracy has tilted too far and needs to be cut back. It takes too long to grant building permits.

Kelley asks Van Pelt-Watkins about high school dropouts and what to do about that. She says Chicago "has lost its way when it comes to education." She'd put an educator in as Chicago Public Schools chief. She talks about her own background, overcoming obstacles in life. Need to open doors for parents of black students.

Host Bob Sirott has shifted the topic to education here 20 minutes in. It's been tough for the candidates to go after each other because they're not all answering the same question. Difficult for the forum to develop a flow at this point.

They asked whether any of the candidates have seen the education documentary "Waiting for Superman." Braun raised her hand, but hasn't seen the movie. She's detailing what she thinks is wrong with CPS. She said she wants an educator running the show and to try to get more money from the state.

Kelley asking Chico about teacher quality. Chico is the former president of the Chicago Board of Education.

Flannery asking Van Pelt-Watkins about school funding. She says let's take the burden off property taxes. It's not just funding though, she adds, CPS needs to work with people in the community.

Natalie Moore of Chicago Public Radio is asking Emanuel about the Obama administration's "Race to the Top" program, which was put in place when Emanuel was serving in the White House. Emanuel is saying he'd like to take $10 million in teacher training money and open up eight new teacher training academies. It's only the second question Emanuel, the frontrunner, has fielded halfway through the hour-long debate.

We're on health care now. Braun on the offensive against Emanuel, saying he voted against some minority health funding while a Northwest Side congressman.

Kelley back on education. Who should lead CPS --- a business person or educator? And should City Hall continue to control CPS or should the school board be elected? Walls calls Daley's signature "Renaissance 2010" program "diabolical." That's the one that created more charter schools. Walls said Chico was all about no-bid contracts while he led CPS board. Walls wants an elected school board. Waiting to see if Chico gets a chance to respond to the charge. Nope.

Flannery asking del Valle about City Colleges' graduation rate, which he said is low. Del Valle, who has made Chicago's community colleges a focus in his campaign, said it's important for the colleges to offer more career and technical options in addition to university-level work.

Moore asking Braun about segregation in CPS and what to do about schools that fail year after year. Braun said the city needs to support parental involvement in the schools. Schools are failing more due to poverty and breakdown of social fabric, she says. Braun said CPS should collaborate with the teachers.

Now we're moving onto public safety. Sirott introduces another video package on the issue. Jump ball question: Chico or Emanuel are asked where have they been scared for their own safety in Chicago. Chico said he's scared for his children. He grew up in Back of the Yards.

Chico hits Emanuel, saying he "grew up on the wealthy North Shore." Chico points to his police union endorsement. Put more police on the streets by redirecting 2 or 3 percent of the city budget.

But Emanuel doesn't get a chance to respond because they've moved on to another question. Very difficult to get any kind of give-and-take or flow going here.

Kelley to del Valle: how do we help ex-convicts re-enter society when budgets are being cut? Del Valle says the programs are too small and need to be expanded so inmates can re-enter community. City needs to deal with housing, in addition to jobs, for the former inmates.

Flannery to Emanuel: you say you'll hire more police officers but haven't said if they'd go in areas with highest crime. Emanuel said TIF-fund hired cops would go into blighted areas (that's 250 officers). Emanuel wants 1,000 additional officers on the streets total, but says afterschool programs to keep kids off the streets is important too.

A student asks how students can learn when they're often concerned about violence getting to and from school. Walls said police officers need to be walking the beat, playgrounds and schoolyards, establishing a positive relationship with the kids. "Where there's presence, there's deterrent," he said.

Moore to Chico: there were 435 murders and half were between ages 10 and 25...so how will you address the plague of gun violence striking minority neighborhoods. Chico wants reasonable gun control measures. Stem violence well before it ever takes root, pre-school education and counselors in schools and recreation opportunities and jobs.

An audience member is asking about foreclosed homes and do they candidates endorse setting aside 20 percent of TIF funds for affordable housing (the "Sweet Home Chicago" ordinance). Emanuel said TIFs need to be reformed first. And money tailored to specific areas' needs, whether it be jobs or housing.

Social media-generated questions up next. Braun asked about making cost-of-living in Chicago affordable. Braun said no new taxes and improve public education.

A corruption question from Facebook. It's from Erica. How to stop corruption in city politics. It went to Emanuel, who said he's set out ethics reforms with former city Inspector General David Hoffman. Two-year revolving door ban on lobbying for city workers. Give inspector general more power to inspect the park district and the like.

We're on to closing statements, which Chico ripped Emanuel for his sales-tax swap plan. Emanuel said his goal is not to attack anyone but to discuss the issues, even though some of his foes have swiped at him this evening.

And we're out.

The forum is being put on by the TV station, the Chicago Urban League and Harriet’s Daughters.

All 50 aldermen on the Chicago City Council had to file paperwork earlier this year detailing their outside income and gifts. The Tribune took that ethics paperwork and posted the information here for you to see. You can search by ward number or alderman's last name.

The Cook County Assessor's office has put together lists of projected median property tax bills for all suburban towns and city neighborhoods. We've posted them for you to get a look at who's paying more and who's paying less.

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